8 Jan 2024

We have pondered over “Godly Wisdom” in the last sharing and how it is especially needed for believers in these last days, for we live in perilous times.
The church today faces many dangers and perils – this is especially so because Christian teaching on holiness has been largely forgotten – yet holiness is so central to the glory of God and the good of souls.
There was a time when holiness was clearly taught: what God’s holiness requires of us believers; what our holiness involves for us; by what means and through what disciplines the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, and the ways in which holiness increases our assurance and joy and usefulness to God.

Our enemy, the devil, knows that sometimes when direct confrontation and attacks do not work, then giving believers distorted truths, improper applications of Scripture, false assurances and emotional feelings (of ‘highs’ without actions), deceptions and compromise would be most effective in ‘neutralising’ the believers in the most subtle ways; oftentimes without even them realising what is happening.
More than ever before, in these last days, we hear of more false and distorted teachings and preachings of the Bible, more false assurances and false ‘spirituality’ that make churches seem so vibrant; but in reality, they have a name that they are alive spiritually but they are actually ‘dead spiritually’. Do not be mistaken – the outward appearance shows the churches full of activities and programmes – but God pronounces them ‘neither hot or cold, but lukewarm’, communities which have lost their “first love” and those which have strayed from the ways of God (See Revelation 2, 3). And the first love has very much to do with HOLINESS and WORSHIP. Do not imagine that as long as we are busy in ‘serving’ God in the church, everything is in order.

Holiness in both Hebrew and Greek means “separated and set apart for God, consecrated, and made over to Him”. In its application to God’s people, the word implies both devotion and assimilation; devotion in the sense of living a life of service to God; assimilation, in the sense of imitating, conforming to, and becoming like the God one serves.

Note: a holy person’s motivating aim, passion, desire, longing, delight, aspiration, goal and drive is to PLEASE GOD both by what one does and by what one avoids doing (all the days of our life on earth and beyond).
In other words, one practices good works and cuts off evil ones.Good works begin with praise, worship, and honoring and exalting God as the mainstay of one’s whole life. Evil works start with neglect of these things, and coolness with regard to them (it can begin gradually and then it penetrates the whole of one’s life). Notice that ‘sin of omission’ is as bad as the ‘sin of commission’ – do not be falsely assured that our neglect of time with God, the reading and studying of Scripture, prayer, and godly fellowship (which includes edification and correction from brethren) is not too bad, and it can be corrected when we have the time to do so. We were reminded in the worship service that we are not in control of time and our life – God is in control. Our time here on earth is temporary, but do not forget that our eternal destiny depends on how we prioritise and use our time here in developing and nurturing our holiness and transformation in Christ.
Only before the judgment seat of God will the reality be revealed, and the consequence will follow accordingly.

“Make every effort….to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb.12:14 NIV).
What this means is that we must labour to keep our hearts actively responsive to God.
What holiness is not: Asceticism essentially is not holiness; voluntary abstinence, routines of self-deprivation and grueling austerity – is not the same as holiness, though some form of asceticism may well find a place in a holy person’s life.

Formalism also is not holiness – formalism in the sense of outward conformity in word and deed to the standards God has set, anything like holiness, though assuredly there is no holiness without such conformity. Inward reality must be the source that springs forth in outward conformity – otherwise it is only appearance without reality.

Nor is legalism holiness – legalism in the sense of doing things to earn God’s favour or to earn more of it than one has already, to be regarded as holiness. Holiness is alway the saved sinner’s response of gratitude for grace received. In one sense, we are all ‘righteous sinners’.

The Pharisees of Jesus’ day made all three mistakes, yet were thought to be very holy people until Jesus told them the truth about themselves and the inadequacies of their supposed piety. We must never forget that holiness begins in the heart.

What do Christians mainly preach and teach today in TV programs, video etc.? The answer seems to be not holiness, but success and positive feelings: getting health, wealth, freedom from care, good sex, and happy families. In this respect, there are many “how to” books written and reviewed but very few books on holiness – just look at the various bookshops.

What do Christians and churches look for in leaders and leadership? The answer seems to be not holiness, but their gifts and skills and resources and theological degrees.
In recent years, many Christian leaders have been found guilty of sexual and financial shenanigans, and who when challenged have declined to see themselves as accountable to any part of the body of Christ – surely it is very startling! In fact, some even continue their ‘ministry’ and resume them as if nothing had happened – commanding as much support as before (now this is not just happening in secular political arena in certain societies but among Christian leadership and ministry!!). No wonder the devil is having “a field’s day’ with him and his minions chuckling that they have indeed damaged God’s work and kingdom. Are we concerned; are we burdened with God’s concerns and desires for “His kingdom come” – or we just going along happily carrying out our activities and agenda, and patting ourselves on the back that we are doing alright??